Pursue - Day 2
Pursue...Day 2
Fasting has been part of the Judeo-Christian tradition since Old Testament times. Old Testament Saints fasted during times of mourning and national repentance, when they needed strength, direction, and mercy to persevere, and when they sought a word from God. Some Old Testament examples of fasting are 1 Samuel 7:6, Nehemiah 1:4, and Esther 4:16.
Fasting was a normal practice for the Jews of Jesus' day as well. Jesus began His earthly ministry with a 40-day fast (Matthew 4:1-11). The New Testament Church sometimes fasted when it sought God's will and needed the grace and strength to remain faithful to God's work (Acts 13:2-3, Acts 14:23).
Perhaps you recently practiced the spiritual discipline of fasting during Lent, giving up something specific to remind you of how Jesus gave everything up for us.
While fasting is often associated with abstaining from food, it can also include fasting from an activity, a hobby, or a habit that might keep us from being receptive to hearing from God.
Fasting serves multiple purposes, including helping us seek God’s guidance and will for our lives, expressing sadness and grief, showing humility, overcoming temptation, and dedicating ourselves to focusing more clearly on abiding with the Lord.
Fasting will not be effective if you are fasting for the wrong reasons or with the wrong attitude. Fasting is not:
For appearances. It doesn’t make us more righteous or holy (Matthew 6:16).
Magical or a way to manipulate God into doing what we want. David fasted after his sin with Bathsheba, asking God to spare their child, but the child died anyway (2 Samuel 12:16-20).
Fasting is an opportunity for us to lay down our desires and appetites (whether for food, social media, news, Netflix, or shopping) and replace them with a hunger for all that God has for us. Fasting reminds us of what our souls should be concerned with and to look to God for comfort and sustenance.
“But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” Matthew 6:17-18
Prayer Prompt: Pray for a heart that is sincere in seeking God and His will and purpose for your life and that of Ignite church.
#21dayprayerchallenge #prayer #fasting
Fasting was a normal practice for the Jews of Jesus' day as well. Jesus began His earthly ministry with a 40-day fast (Matthew 4:1-11). The New Testament Church sometimes fasted when it sought God's will and needed the grace and strength to remain faithful to God's work (Acts 13:2-3, Acts 14:23).
Perhaps you recently practiced the spiritual discipline of fasting during Lent, giving up something specific to remind you of how Jesus gave everything up for us.
While fasting is often associated with abstaining from food, it can also include fasting from an activity, a hobby, or a habit that might keep us from being receptive to hearing from God.
Fasting serves multiple purposes, including helping us seek God’s guidance and will for our lives, expressing sadness and grief, showing humility, overcoming temptation, and dedicating ourselves to focusing more clearly on abiding with the Lord.
Fasting will not be effective if you are fasting for the wrong reasons or with the wrong attitude. Fasting is not:
For appearances. It doesn’t make us more righteous or holy (Matthew 6:16).
Magical or a way to manipulate God into doing what we want. David fasted after his sin with Bathsheba, asking God to spare their child, but the child died anyway (2 Samuel 12:16-20).
Fasting is an opportunity for us to lay down our desires and appetites (whether for food, social media, news, Netflix, or shopping) and replace them with a hunger for all that God has for us. Fasting reminds us of what our souls should be concerned with and to look to God for comfort and sustenance.
“But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” Matthew 6:17-18
Prayer Prompt: Pray for a heart that is sincere in seeking God and His will and purpose for your life and that of Ignite church.
#21dayprayerchallenge #prayer #fasting
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